OLLI

The University of Delaware’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) program for learners ages 50-plusalready held the distinction as one ofthe first lifelong learning programs inthe country. With the growth of its onlineprogram during the pandemic, it’s nowalso the largest, with an active membershipof nearly 2,000 participants from acrossDelaware and the region.

OLLI at UD is a volunteer-based learningcooperative for adults age 50-plus to takeand teach classes together with no grades,exams or educational prerequisites. Eachseason there is a new catalog of classes,now with expanded in-person programming,online classes and two new onlineclass formats. Spring Catalog, click here.Summer Catalog, watch this space for 2022.

Take a Peek at the Spring Course Highlights in Sussex County

In Lewes, several new courses areexpected to be popular, including“Telescopes: Time Machines of Discovery,”taught by Jim O’Leary, host of theweekly Skywatch at the Beach for RadioRehoboth. A special course on Broadwaylegend Stephen Sondheim will take placeat The Moorings at Lewes, taught by music experts Jon Newsom and Roo Brown. And a course about the sport of vintage baseball and its Lewes connections will be taught by Michael DiPaolo, former director of the Lewes Historical Society.

In Ocean View, two full days of in-person courses will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays, including Mah Jongg, English country dance, beginning watercolor, and “Adventures of a Global Journalist” taught by retired CNN journalist Ralph Begleiter.

And in Bridgeville, “Day The Earth Stood Still: The Kennedy Assassination” will take place at Heritage Shores Clubhouse, taught by Sandy Boyar, retired high school history teacher and history enthusiast.

Growth of Online Courses at OLLI

An increasing number of OLLI’s classroombased courses are also offered online, or in special hybrid formats.

Early in the pandemic a few OLLI instructors were able to immediately move their courses online, but it was a few months later that the initiative to launch a fully online OLLI began in earnest with a virtual learning committee comprised of techsavvy volunteers and staff from across UD’s OLLI programs.

With a return to OLLI’s on-site classrooms, “the virtual world of Zoom classes, hybrid offerings of Zoom and in person, and group viewing offer us the opportunity to continue to reach out and expand,” said Collins.

Statewide Reach and Cooperation

Although UD’s two lifelong learning cooperatives operate independently as OLLI Wilmington and OLLI Kent/Sussex, pandemic realities brought them together to make the most of online learning opportunities. The new formats expand on that cooperation and increased accessibility, allowing virtual or in-person attendance from almost anywhere.

“In my opinion, both online and in-person classes are here to stay,” said Martin. “OLLI members have expressed interest in taking online classes because some are still wary of the virus, are physically unable to drive to class sites, like the comfort of not getting dressed to go out — and if they are not in the area, knowing they can still log into classes. On the other hand, members truly miss being with friends, feeling the vibe in the building, talking and seeing faces (currently through masks) and moving about. They miss sounds, like music, side discussions, catching up and having a place to go even if it’s only a few days a week.”

Class Details

Learn more about each season’s new course list: Olli Sussex

www.olli.udel.edu/kent-sussex

Course offerings include painting, ceramics, film appreciation, band and music ensembles, folk dance, yoga, tai chi, literature, languages, investing, tree club and more.

Participants can sign up for any combination of in-person classes, online classes or both. The semester-based OLLI membership fee is $100, with an additional per-class registration fee. Prior OLLI membership or OLLI participation is not required.